QS launched the World University Rankings in 2004, in cooperation with the Times Higher Education Supplement. QS and THE ceased their business relationship after the publication of the 2009 Rankings. QS assumed sole publication of the existing methodology when Times Higher Education split in order to create a new ranking methodology in 2010, which became the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

In 2011, the QS World University Rankings were published online and by media partners around the world, including US News and World Report. The University of Cambridge was top for the second successive year. The 2011 Rankings will also be published in book form, the sixth year that this has happened. The book series ? called Guide to the World’s Top Universities and Top Universities Guide - allows institution profiles, student guidance and other information to be published alongside the Rankings. From 2010, the Guide has been published in Chinese as well as in English.